[Tutorial #9] Painted IU

[aurora_amethyst]

Going from this: to this:

Requested by tinny @ Ask the Maker 2023 @ icontalking


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I started with this image of IU.



The colors were lovely, but I wanted to brighten them up, so I add a vibrance layer: vibrance: 100, saturation: 100. But since IU's skin was too red, I masked out her skin.



I knew I wanted to change the purples/violets to blues to match her dress. I added a selective color layer: Magentas: C: 100, M: -100, Y: -100, B: 100; Whites: C: 100, M: -100, Y: -100, B: -100. I masked out everything except for the flowers.



Next, I added a gradient map layer (f0c6cc to ffe9ea), and set it to multiply, 100% opacity. IU's skin had too many light spots, and I didn't like the color.



I wanted to soften the icon but add a little depth, so I copy-merged and pasted the layer into the icon (CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+E or CTRL+SHIFT+CMD+E). Then I used the Diffuse filter (Filter>Stylize>Diffuse) and chose the Anisotropic setting. I set the layer to soft light, 40% opacity.



Next, I wanted to add some shading, so I copy-merged and pasted the layer into the icon (CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+E or CTRL+SHIFT+CMD+E). Then I used the Cutout filter (Filter>Filter Gallery>Artistic>Cutout) with the following settings: Number of levels: 8, Edge Simplicity: 4, Edge Fidelity: 3. I set the layer to soft light, 40% opacity.



Next, I wanted to sharpen the icon, so I went with my favorite technique: paint daubs. so I copy-merged and pasted the layer into the icon (CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+E or CTRL+SHIFT+CMD+E). Then I used the following settings for the paint daubs filter (Filter>Filter Gallery>Artistic>Paint Daubs): Brush Size: 1, Sharpness 1.



Next, I added a gradient map layer (e6b224 to ae0052), and set it to normal, 30% opacity. This layer gives the icon a bit of a matte look.



I wanted to fade out the edges of the background, so I added this texture by lookslikerain and set it to screen, 100% opacity.



I also wanted to add some contrast, so I added a radial gradient (000000 to 7eaafa) with the colors reversed and set it to soft light, 100% opacity.



I copy-merged and pasted the layer into the icon (CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+E or CTRL+SHIFT+CMD+E).



Now for the "paint-y" effect! I pasted this texture by and set it to lighten, 100% opacity.



Then I duplicated the copy-merged layer, brought it to the top, and set it to soft light, 100% opacity.



But, because IU's face can barely be seen, I duplicated the layer, masked out the left and bottom parts of the icon, and set the layer to multiply, 100% opacity.



I added a white blob (shown on a black layer for clarity) and set it on normal, 30% opacity. Her hair was a little too dark.



I wanted to soften the icon a little, so I copy-merged and pasted the layer into the icon (CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+E or CTRL+SHIFT+CMD+E). Then I used the Diffuse filter (Filter>Stylize>Diffuse) and chose the Anisotropic setting then blurred it. I set the layer to normal, 20% opacity.



To give the icon more of a paint-y feel, I copy-merged and pasted the layer into the icon (CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+E or CTRL+SHIFT+CMD+E). Then I used the following settings for the paint daubs filter (Filter>Filter Gallery>Artistic>Paint Daubs): Brush Size: 1, Sharpness 1. I set the layer to normal, 40% opacity.



The icon needed a little more vibrance, so I added a vibrance layer: vibrance: 100, saturation: 0.



Lastly, I added this texture by unknown and set it to screen, 100% opacity. I wanted the edges of the background to be lighter.



Voila!

There you have it!

.psd

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Comments

[tinny]

Awesome! Thank you so much!

I love that you always start with why you're doing something and then explain how. This is great to get a feel for what each technique can do.

The paint effect on this icon is very lovely indeed!

[facethestrange]

It's a beautiful icon, thank you for sharing the process of getting there! :) ♡